Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Provo?

Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.

How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Provo?

To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $39,000 in Provo.

Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Provo?

Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Columbus vs Provo Cost of Living 2026

Columbus

Georgia

$1,090/mo est.

Provo

Utah

$1,120/mo est.

Monthly estimate = 1BR rent + electricity + gas

A one-person monthly baseline (1BR rent plus typical utilities) runs $1,090 in Columbus, GA versus $1,120 in Provo, UT. Overall, Columbus, GA is roughly 3% cheaper to live in day-to-day than Provo, UT, driven mainly by rent.

Median household income is $56,622 in Columbus, GA and $62,800 in Provo, UT — about 10% higher in Provo, UT. Georgia has a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax; Utah has a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax.

Columbus, GA

Provo, UT

Rent

Studio

$826

$1,009

+22% in Provo, UT

1 Bedroom

$875

$978

+12% in Provo, UT

2 Bedroom

$991

$1,128

+14% in Provo, UT

3 Bedroom

$1,221

$1,381

+13% in Provo, UT

Buying a Home

Median Home Value

$182,300

$437,100

+140% in Provo, UT

Income

Median Household Income

$56,622

$62,800

+11% in Provo, UT

Metro Median Wage (annual)

$43,540

$48,010

+10% in Provo, UT

People & Lifestyle

Median Age

35.1 yr

23.7 yr

+11.4 yr in Columbus, GA

Homeownership

50.2%

39.9%

+10.3 pp in Columbus, GA

Bachelor's+ (25+)

29.7%

45.0%

+15.3 pp in Provo, UT

Avg Commute

20.2 min

18.5 min

+1.7 min in Columbus, GA

Crime (per 100k/yr)

Violent Crime

612.3

205.7

+66% in Columbus, GA

Property Crime

2,273.4

1,280.6

+44% in Columbus, GA

FBI Crime Data Explorer. Offenses per 100,000 residents per year; agency reporting practices vary, so this is approximate.

Climate

Avg Annual Temperature

65.7°F

53.4°F

+12.3°F in Columbus, GA

Annual Precipitation

46.8 in

19.8 in

+27.0 in in Columbus, GA

Gas

Regular Gasoline

$3.94/gal

$4.27/gal

+8% in Provo, UT

Area: East Coast (PADD 1) vs Rocky Mountain (PADD 4).

Utilities

Electricity (¢/kWh)

16.4

13.4

+18% in Columbus, GA

Natural Gas ($/MCF)

$38.60

$11.84

+69% in Columbus, GA

Residential, state-level averages (EIA). MCF = 1,000 cubic feet.

Groceries

Milk (gal)

$4.00

$4.82

+20% in Provo, UT

Bread (lb)

$1.75

$2.04

+17% in Provo, UT

Eggs (doz)

$2.21

$2.19

+1% in Columbus, GA

Ground Beef (lb)

$6.45

$7.36

+14% in Provo, UT

Chicken (lb)

$1.90

$2.01

+6% in Provo, UT

Bananas (lb)

$0.62

$0.70

+14% in Provo, UT

Average prices — South vs West (BLS). Regional where available, otherwise U.S. average.

State Taxes

Sales Tax (GA / UT)

6.1%

+2.1 pp in UT

Income Tax (top rate)

5.19%

4.50%

+0.7 pp in GA

Columbus vs Provo — FAQ

Is it cheaper to live in Columbus or Provo?: Columbus, GA is cheaper. Its monthly baseline of $1,090 (1BR rent + utilities) runs about 3% below Provo, UT's $1,120, mainly because of rent.
How much more do you need to earn to live in Columbus than in Provo?: To keep rent near the recommended 30% of gross income, you'd want to earn roughly $35,000 a year in Columbus versus $39,000 in Provo.
Which has lower taxes, Columbus or Provo?: Columbus is taxed under Georgia's rules (a top state income tax rate of 5.19% and a 4% state sales tax); Provo under Utah's (a top state income tax rate of 4.50% and a 6.1% state sales tax).

Sources: US Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year (rent, income, home value, demographics); NOAA Climate Normals 1981–2010 (climate); EIA weekly retail (gas); Tax Foundation 2026 (state taxes).